The AXA Foundation for Human Progress Reveals 13 Winners of its International Call to Tackle Violence Against Children

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 2 children worldwide experience physical, sexual or emotional violence, making the fight against violence against children a critical societal issue across the globe.  Yet too much violence against children remains unseen, unspoken, and unaddressed.

As a continuation to its 10-year support to violence against women, AXA has launched in fall 2025 a dedicated program to address this silent emergency, led by the AXA Foundation for Human Progress, backed by a €10 million budget over three years. This bold initiative aims to break the cycle of violence against children by supporting a comprehensive, multi-stage protection chain—prevention, detection, disclosure, protection, healing and transformation—through targeted partnerships.

As the first milestone of this multi-year program, the AXA Foundation for Human Progress launched its first international call for projects in autumn 2025.  Rolled out during the first year in France, Spain and Colombia, the call targeted associations, NGOs and foundations and resulted in the selection of 13 innovative and locally rooted projects, following a rigorous process that combined local expertise and global strategic coherence. On May 27, during a visit to AXA Colpatria in Colombia, AXA Group CEO Thomas Buberl announced the laureates of this first call for projects.

Supported over a three-year period, these 13 projects led by recognized organizations will focus on three key challenges:

• Addressing the invisibility of violence against children

• Developing long-term child protection programs

• Tackling the root causes of such violence  

Support for the creation and development of child helplines, training and equipping education professionals (teachers, youth workers, etc.), and funding dedicated support centers are among the many initiatives supported through this call for projects.

Beyond its role as a funder, the AXA Foundation aims to be an active architect of sustainable solutions, fostering long-term impact for vulnerable children and their communities.
In September 2026, a new call for projects will be launched to support projects in Italy and Senegal.

Details of the projects selected under this first call for projects:

• Preventing cyberviolence and bullying on young people – E-Enfance / 3018 (France)
  The supported project aims to build a nationwide response to bullying and cyberviolence affecting children and adolescents. The Association will strengthen its 3018 support system to better prevent, detect and address these harmful situations, while further developing the Observatory of Digital Violence Against Minors. The project will also provide training for child protection professionals by mobilizing schools, youth organizations and local structures across France.

• Supporting Children Affected by Trauma – SOS Villages d’Enfants (France)
  SOS Villages d’Enfants is developing a therapeutic daily-life approach for children placed under child protection services. The project aims to improve trauma detection, create calming environments, and provide individualized care pathways. Its objective is to offer child victims of violence a more stable and healing environment.

• Strengthening Victim Support and Assistance – L’Enfant Bleu (France)
  L’Enfant Bleu works to improve the prevention, detection and support of children affected by violence across France. The project supports a national helpline, specialized psychological and legal assistance, and awareness-raising initiatives in schools. It provides a comprehensive response to better protect child victims.

• Making Sport a Safe Environment – Fondation Sport Sans Violence (France)
  The Sport Sans Violence Foundation, created by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee and hosted by the French Sport Foundation, aims to eliminate all forms of violence in sport, particularly sexual and gender-based violence, and to make sport a safe space for everyone. The project is built around three main pillars: prevention and awareness-raising in the field, support for associations helping victims rebuild their lives, and a pool of instructors helping sports organisations strengthen and speed up their disciplinary procedures.

• Breaking the Silence Around Incest – Face à l’Inceste (France)
  Face à l’Inceste develops educational resources and awareness campaigns to prevent intrafamilial sexual violence. The association aims to better inform parents and adults in contact with children while also contributing to legislative change. The project helps bring visibility to violence that is still too often hidden and unspoken.

• Preventing Bullying from an Early Age – The Paris Federation of the Ligue de l’Enseignement  (France)
  The Paris Federation of the Ligue de l’Enseignement is rolling out a national program to prevent bullying and violence in schools from an early age. The project focuses on developing psychosocial skills and training education professionals. It also actively involves children and parents to help transform educational practices over the long term.

• Preventing Gender-Based and Sexual Violence – En avant toute(s) (France)
  En Avant Toute(s) works with young people to prevent gender-based and sexual violence and improve access to adapted support services. The project combines digital listening and prevention tools, school-based awareness workshops and remote support solutions, including the premieresfois.fr chat. An innovative approach to reach young people where they are.

• Strengthening Helplines for Child Victims – Fundación ANAR (Spain)
  In Spain, Fundación ANAR is expanding its free 24/7 helplines and chat services to support children and adolescents affected by intrafamilial violence. The service provides immediate psychological, social and legal assistance. A vital initiative to ensure rapid support and protection for young victims.

• Protecting Children in Foster Care – ASEAF (Spain)
  ASEAF works to promote foster care in Spain as the preferred protection measure for children who cannot live with their families. The project aims to provide safer, more stable family environments for children in the child protection system. This project includes training foster families and creating a national observatory on foster care. Its goal is to improve child protection policies over the long term and ensure every child’s right to grow up in a family.

• Preventing and Detecting Sexual Violence – Fundación Vicki Bernadet (Spain)
  Fundación Vicki Bernadet is implementing a comprehensive approach to combat sexual violence against children. The project combines prevention strategies, professional training, awareness-raising activities and specialized support for victims and their families. A holistic initiative designed to improve safeguarding and institutional response to child sexual abuse.

• Training Schools to Prevent Violence – Fundación Universidad del Norte (Colombia)
  In Colombia, Fundación Universidad del Norte works with public schools to prevent, detect and address violence against young children at an early stage. The project trains teachers and school professionals while involving families and children through experiential workshops. It also contributes to aligning school protocols with national mental health and education standards.

• Creating a Comprehensive Child Support Center – Los Pisingos (Colombia)
  Los Pisingos is creating a specialized center in Bogotá dedicated to preventing and addressing sexual, psychological and domestic violence against children and adolescents. The center will provide psychological, legal and educational support, alongside community activities aimed at strengthening socio-emotional skills. The project also seeks to reinforce local child protection networks.

• Breaking Cycles of Family Violence – Fundación FANA (Colombia)
  Fundación FANA is developing a program combining therapeutic care and prevention for children exposed to neglect, abuse and family instability. The project offers specialized therapies and parenting workshops to support children’s recovery and prevent future violence. A long-term initiative focused on building safer environments for children and adolescents.

About The AXA Foundation for Human Progress

The AXA Foundation for Human Progress brings together the main philanthropic actions of AXA Group and AXA Mutuelles d’Assurances, in France and worldwide. With an endowment of 60 million euros per year, this fund aims to amplify support for impactful projects in AXA's four historical areas of sponsorship: science, nature, solidarity and culture.  The AXA Foundation for Human Progress is fully aligned with AXA’s mission: "Acting for human progress by protecting what matters." Through this Fund, AXA implements its broader vision of protection, which extends to the resilience of societies and the reduction of inequalities, today and for future generations.

Visit the website : https://axafoundation.org

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